3/22/2008

Breaking Earth NewsUSASlideshowVALLEY PARK, Mo. - Residents of this Meramec River town are crossing their fingers in hopes hat the community's new earthen levee, built to withstand a 100-year flood, will pass its first big test.

The surging Meramec was expected to crest Saturday at a record 40 feet — 24 feet above flood stage and within three feet of the levee's lip.

Flood-weary residents of Missouri, Arkansas and Ohio also were fighting to save their homes after heavy rain pushed rivers out of their banks.

In addition to this past week's rain, a lingering storm blew more snow through parts of the Upper Midwest on Saturday, a day after it canceled flights and some Good Friday services.

More than a foot of snow fell Friday in parts of southern Wisconsin and nearly as much blanketed southeastern Minnesota.

Cleveland and Youngstown each had 7 inches of snow and counting by Saturday, while Toledo had 4 inches, according to the National Weather Service. The blast came two weeks after the Cleveland area saw a foot of snow.